In the early winter snow, several major events shook Jindu.
First, the Emperor recovered from his illness, which was blamed on a consort who had turned to witchcraft in a fit of jealous rage. Second, the Seventh Prince, Xue Feiyan, was ordered to Sushen to negotiate peace with the Yanyun—a clear sign of the Emperor's lingering suspicion. And third, the Fifth Prince, newly titled Prince of Qinling, was taking the top courtesan of the Yichun Courtyard as his concubine.
"And you're just going to stomach this?" Yi asked, leaning against the window of the Yumen Jiao. Murong Jin, now four months pregnant, sat watching the stage. She was fuller than before, but still painfully thin for an expectant mother.
She stared at the dancer, her eyes shimmering with tears. The same stage, the same dance. But the people are gone.
"Jin?" Yi sensed her distress and sat across from her. Ever since Liu and Xing had died, she had barely eaten, and the morning sickness had been severe.
"Hm? Oh, I'm fine." She wiped her face. "What did the Yang family say about Xing?"
"They've put out the story that the Third Young Master was, in fact, the Third Young Lady, and that she has been married off to a distant land." Yi's own voice was heavy. "They even sent her dowry to Wuchuan, to be buried with her."
"Married off…" Murong Jin gave a weak smile. I suppose it is. For Xing, perhaps this was the best ending.
"As long as it didn't cause a stir." She turned her head. "That dancer. Do you know her?"
"Her name is A'ya. The Yang caravan rescued her from the Turks. Her parents died in the war."
"Does she know who Xing really was?"
"Yes. Xing treated her like a sister. Taught her everything, even her signature Shooting the Wolf archery. She was a great help to Xing here."
Murong Jin nodded. "Take her back to the Vermilion Bird Camp."
"What?"
"She has Xing's shadow in her. Ask her. If she's willing, take her. If not, let her go free." She smiled, but her eyes were sad. With them gone, she would never come here again.
Yi nodded, then hesitated. "Today is the day. Xue Liulan is marrying Die Man."
"Yes. The ceremony has probably already started," she said, her voice distant.
"Your family sacrificed two lives for him. You are carrying his child. How can he do this to you now?" Yi's voice was rough with anger.
She sighed. "I can't help him much right now. If he loses Thousand Day Drunk on top of everything else, he'll have no way to counter Guo Shangzhong."
"Guo Shangzhong is still not fully on his side?"
"He will never be, as long as my family exists. He's been trying to kill me from the beginning." She rose, her fingers tapping the table. "This marriage is a performance. It's to make Guo Shangzhong believe that Xue Liulan and I are truly estranged."
Yi stood, his expression grim. He knew she was in a vulnerable state.
"Why don't you go back to Wuchuan for a while? Guo Shangzhong isn't the only one who wants you dead. It's better to avoid the danger."
She looked at him and smiled. "It's not so bad that I have to run. I'll be staying in the residence. They aren't bold enough to attack me there."
And, she thought, his Fifteen are not so easily dealt with.
Yi didn't look convinced.
She walked back slowly, dreading her return. The Fifth Prince's residence was awash in red lanterns. Even for a concubine, his new title as Prince of Qinling meant the court officials had flocked to offer their congratulations.
She slipped in through a side gate and went to her own secluded courtyard.
She closed the door. Before she could turn, a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind. She froze, her hand instinctively flying to her stomach as she spun, pinning her attacker against the door.
"Murong Jin, you're pregnant. Must you still be so rough?" Xue Liulan's voice, muffled against the wood, was full of laughter.
"Xue Liulan?" She let him go, stunned.
He was dressed in celebratory red robes, his eyes soft.
"What are you doing here?" she asked. "The banquet in the front hall isn't over."
He didn't answer, just walked to her side, his arm circling her shoulder. "Where were you, so late and all alone?"
"Just Yumen Jiao. It's not far." She looked down. "Today is your wedding day. You should go back."
"Am I to take that as jealousy?" he laughed, leaning down to look at her. "My father even warned me yesterday. 'Pregnant women are prone to suspicion,' he said. 'Be patient with her.'"
"Suspicion?" She looked at him, a sly glint in her eye. "He said that? Given my reputation in Jindu, he probably meant you should just let me stew, didn't he?"
"See? Suspicious already." He tapped her nose, his hand moving to rest on her stomach. "Has he been behaving?"
"He," she said, a soft, happy smile on her face, "is a lot less trouble than you are."
"Is that so?" His own smile faded as he studied her face. "You're thinner."
She shook her head. "You should go. If the groom vanishes, the household will be in chaos."
"I've already told Little Dingzi to inform her. She doesn't need to wait."
"You're leaving her alone on her wedding night?" She felt a pang of guilt for Die Man, but she couldn't deny the flutter of joy in her own heart.
"Yes." He sighed. "Before I met you, I thought a wife and a confidante were the same. But Murong Jin, I can't let you go. And I can't bring myself to be with another woman."
She just stared at him, speechless.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, suddenly embarrassed.
"Ahem. Nothing. You just seem… different today."
"Different how?"
"More serious." She couldn't help but laugh.
"Ah." With a sudden movement, he swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed. He lay down beside her, pulling her close.
"I'm going to be a father. I have to set a good example," he said, closing his eyes. "Sleep. I'm exhausted."
She nestled against his chest. "Are you sure? What if Thousand Day Drunk revolts because of this?"
"It's fine," he murmured, a hidden meaning in his voice. "You walked all the way back. Aren't you tired?"
"You had me followed again?" she complained, punching him lightly on the chest.
"It gives me peace of mind when you're not with me." His breathing evened out.
She smiled and closed her eyes. The red candle on the table flickered, and she thought of the ones on their own wedding night that had been extinguished too soon.
Xue Liulan, she thought, now, I want to grow old with you.
In another courtyard, Die Man sat alone on the bed, still in her red wedding robes. The room was cold.
Little Dingzi had delivered the message. He wasn't coming.
Her hands twisted the silk of her dress, a vicious light in her eyes. After a long moment, she let out a cold laugh.
"Xue Liulan," she whispered. "Since you are heartless, don't blame me for being unjust."